Merry Christmas, and a Cosy Cotswold New Year…

It’s a grey and damp January day, but it’s all so atmospheric as I stroll past Castle Combe’s honey coloured cottages.

This pretty village in The Cotswolds feels almost lost in time - the clouds hang low and chimneys pipe away which is how I imagine it to be in medieval times with the smell of log fires lingering in the air.

This was my first time in Castle Combe, I’d seen it online and was compelled to go there and have been several times since. It’s an immensely popular Cotswold village, but I wouldn’t have known that on my January trip, it was so quiet, so still, only the occasional passing car or local resident breaking my solitude.

With my overcoat and chunky scarf on, I spent some time outside to admire that classic view from the bridge before heading inside a pub to warm up by the fire with a bowl of soup.

There are many villages in The Cotswolds that are ideal for a January escape, here are three from my list of favourites…

Castle Combe

After the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year, escaping to a Cotswold village like Castle Combe is quite appealing, even if you go by yourself for the day like me, or over a weekend with a loved one.

Another advantage to January travel in the UK is how much cheaper it tends to be off season for overnight stays. For a touch of luxury, I’d look to book a table or a room at Castle Combe’s beautiful Manor House.

Bibury

I also love the idea of staying in a cosy cottage in Bibury on the iconic Arlington Row, run by the National Trust. I’d stroll over to The Swan Hotel for dinner and spend the next day in the historic town of Cirencester nearby.

Broadway

One of the best viewpoints in The Cotswolds can be found from Broadway Tower - I’d definitely save this one for a crispy and sunny January day with good visibility. And even if there wasn’t snow to be seen dusting the landscape I’d be content with the tranquil scenes that await in the nearby village of Snowshill.

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Give Your Presence, Not Presents, Part 2

Give Your Presence, Not Presents, Part 1